Is Pontins in administration?

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Is Pontins in administration?

Postby Gary » 12 Nov 2010, 20:09

I'm not sure..I get emails every now and again that I sit up and take notice of..Anyone got any further news?
Please pass through the turnstiles if you are riding again.
Gary
 
Posts: 537
Joined: 26 Jan 2003, 21:45
Location: St Helens

Postby Gary » 12 Nov 2010, 20:19

Oh God it's true..

Administrator KPMG has been appointed at holiday company Pontin's, which employs 850 staff in the UK.

All five sites - at Brean Sands in Somerset, Camber Sands in Sussex, Pakefield in Suffolk, Prestatyn Sands in Wales and Southport in Merseyside - will continue to cater for customers as normal and no redundancies have been made.

KPMG said it was optimistic of finding a buyer and hoped the Pontin's name would live on.

The administrators plan to appoint an "experienced leisure operator" to help them run the company until a buyer can be found and have pledged to honour all reservations.

A spokeswoman for KPMG said the company had run out of cash because bookings had fallen drastically in the past year.

Pontin's slide into administration has come as a surprise because many UK holiday companies have benefited in recent years because more people have been taking holidays in the UK rather than abroad because of the weak pound.

Joint administrator Jane Moriarty said: "Pontin's is an iconic British brand which forms the backdrop to thousands of treasured family holiday memories. It has unfortunately struggled in the current economic environment but, with some support from new management, we are optimistic that it will be part of thousands of family memories in the years to come. From day one, we will be actively running Pontin's to ensure that our guests' holiday expectations are met."

Pontin's was started when Fred Pontin opened the first Pontin's Holiday Park in Brean Sands in 1946, and it is best known for its "blue coats" who offer entertainment and help to holidaymakers. It organises entertainment for its guests featuring acts such as Keith Harris and Orville, Bobby Davro and Chico.

At one point, the Pontin's empire stretched to 30 parks and in 1978 it was bought by Coral for £56 million, according to its website. The company was bought by Ocean Parks for £46 million in 2008, who closed a site in Blackpool last year.

KPMG has set up a helpline for people who have made bookings at Pontin's: 0844 576 8481.
Please pass through the turnstiles if you are riding again.
Gary
 
Posts: 537
Joined: 26 Jan 2003, 21:45
Location: St Helens


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